Do you get nervous at the idea of public speaking? Do you sweat when someone asks you to make a speech at work?
If so, you’re not alone. Over 70% of people suffer from glossophobia, which is the fear of public speaking. Most people hate the idea of giving a speech, and in reality, confident public speakers are in the minority.
There are actually a few tips from comedians that could help to reduce your phobia. Here are 6 tips to make public speaking easier.
Have solid material
Include points and anecdotes in your speech that the audience will be able to relate to, and make sure that your speech follows a direction, so that the audience doesn’t become bored. It can also be useful to keep a sheet of paper with some notes on it, in case you get distracted or lose your point.
Prepare for your speech
According to Creative Education, the one thing that can help to make you seem more confident is actually taking the time to prepare beforehand. This means that you’ll feel comfortable with your speech and the points that you are saying.
Remember to pause
For a comedian, timing is everything, and the same rule applies to speeches. Nervous people often talk really quickly, but you can avoid this by remembering to pause after each sentence.
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Make sure that your speech is structured
Every speech you make should have a beginning, a middle and an end – even if the whole speech takes less than a minute to read!
Interact with your audience
Comedians understand the importance of connecting with the audience as you talk, as it helps to hold their attention and keep them engaged. Interacting with the audience will also take the spotlight off you, which will help to ease any pressure that you are feeling.
Impress your audience straight away
Include a funny joke or a shocking fact at the beginning of your speech to catch the attention of your audience. First impressions are very important, so you want your audience to be interested in your speech straight away.